HB 22-1263

House Bill 22-1263, which has been signed into law in Colorado, extends the licensing requirements for acupuncturists until September 1, 2033. It also updates several aspects of how acupuncturists are regulated, such as allowing licensed acupuncturists to supervise unlicensed aides and requiring them to securely store patient records. The bill modernizes terminology related to acupuncture practices and sets new standards for disciplinary actions against acupuncturists who violate the rules. This means that acupuncturists in Colorado will now have clearer guidelines on how they can practice, including using telehealth services, and face stricter penalties if they misuse their title or fail to respond properly to complaints.

Official Summary

The act makes changes to the acupuncturists' practice act, including the changes recommended by the department of regulatory agencies' (department) sunset review and report on the licensing of acupuncturists, by: Continuing the licensing requirements for 11 years, until September 1, 2033; Authorizing the director of the division of professions and occupations (director) in the department to impose administrative fines as a disciplinary action; Requiring final actions of the director to be appealed directly to the court of appeals; Modernizing the definition of "acupuncturist" so that it includes only persons licensed under the acupuncturists' practice act and modernizing the titles and designations protected for use by licensed acupuncturists; Authorizing an acupuncturist to supervise unlicensed acupuncture aides in the performance of specific tasks as determined by rule of the director and directing the director to adopt rules specifying the tasks that may be performed by acupuncture aides, the training and supervision required, and the number of acupuncture aides that an acupuncturist may supervise; Replacing the term "oriental", in references to the methods and concepts of acupuncture, with more modern terminology; Requiring each acupuncturist to devise a plan for the safe storage, security, and disposal of patient records; Requiring each applicant for acupuncturist licensure to pass an examination approved by the director; Repealing the reference to the specific national organization that establishes standards for auricular acudetox training and allowing the director to designate a national organization; Making it a unlawful act for a person to use the term "medical acupuncturist" or other similar term unless the person is practicing in accordance with medical practice act; Updating the grounds for discipline of an acupuncturist relating to the use or abuse of alcohol, habit-forming drugs, and controlled substances to align with other regulated professions; Adding as a grounds for discipline the failure to respond to a complaint filed against the acupuncturist in an honest, responsive, and timely manner; and Authorizing the director to adopt rules to establish the appropriate use of telehealth to provide acupuncture services.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes